ATLANTA – Dwight Howard says the departure of Chandler Parsons won't have an effect on the Houston Rockets' title hopes next season.

Howard said Friday he wishes his former teammate well with the Mavericks. But the All-Star center says he and James Harden will be able to carry the load without the 25-year-old Parsons, who had career highs with 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and four assists for the Rockets last season.

Parsons signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The small forward was a three-year starter that complemented Howard and Harden.

The Rockets acquired veteran forward Trevor Ariza in a three-team trade this week. Howard says the addition of Ariza was "big" for the Rockets.

Howard was speaking at his father's 10th annual Howard/Howard basketball camp in Atlanta.